Modes of mechanical ventilation

Modes of mechanical ventilation refer to the various mechanical ventilator strategies employed to deliver a breath in patients that require mechanical ventilation. The mode refers to the method of respiratory support. In general, mode selection is based on clinician familiarity and institutional preferences, since there is a paucity of evidence indicating that the mode affects clinical outcome. The most frequently used forms of volume-limited mechanical ventilation are intermittent mandatory ventilation (IMV) and continuous mandatory ventilation (CMV). Terminology There has been extensive discussion regarding the nomenclature of mechanical ventilation, particularly in relation to the classification and terminology of ventilation modes. Despite these efforts, considerable confusion persists in the field. Ongoing initiatives aim to standardize and clarify this terminology, and, more recently, the International Organization for Standardization has revised its relevant standards to incorporate more precise definitions for modes of ventilation. Taxonomy for mechanical ventilation The taxonomy is a logical classification system based on 10 maxims of ventilator design: 10 maxims How modes